Improvement in horse hay-rakes



ditched guette Letters Patent No. 97,708, dated .DecemberY 7, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAY-RAKES.

The Schedule' referred 'co in these Letters Patent and making pari: of the same.

To all whom 'it may concern It consists iu a device attached, which can be oper-' t ated by the foot 'of the-driver, and by' means of which the teeth of the rake may be raised, so as to pass over any uncut or fouled grass, or other obstacle that may be in the way, and prevent its proper working.

` In orderto give a full and exact 4description of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part' of my specification, in which- A A are the two wheels of a sulky or other vehicle, and l B B, the two side timbers ofthe frame. y These timbers are extended in front of the wheels to the required distance, to allow the rake D tobe revolved and operated in front ofthe wheels, the shafts inside of which the horse works, being attached to the front end of the timbers B.

The rake D is constructed in the usual manner, the teeth passing entirely through the rake-head.

Two connecting parallel arms, E E, are attached, one to the rear end of cach of the timbers B, by means of' some suitable loose joint or hinge, so as to allow the rake to be raised or lowered independentof the wheels while in operation, and thus readily accommodate itself to even or uneven ground.

The arms E extend forward of the wheels, and are attached lto therake-head by any suitable connect-ion which will allow the rake to revolve.

A cross-bar, F, extends across from one of the arms E to the other, being mortised into them at each. end, the wh'ole forming a strong swinging frame-work, to which the rake D is attached,

The drivers seat G is attached to the flame of the sulky, behind the axle.

lof the rake, and assist in Alever, H, which is attached to themiddle of the rake-head, extends upward, so as to be within easy reach of' the driver, by means of which. he may lift the rake over stumps, rocks, or other obstructions.

lhis lever carries two pawls, a a, at its lower end, which engage with projections a a' on the rake-head, so that, by lifting upward on the lever, the rake is raised yto a propel' elevation tocause the teeth to engage with the ground, and` thus` be revolved, releasing its load in the operation, after which the rake will be in a position to immediately commence raking again.

Secured to each of the arms E, near the rake-head, is a circular guideerod, I, which passes upward through mortises in the timbers At properin tervals along this guide-rod are made small holes, through which a pin or bolt, b, passesafter the rake has been elevated to the desired-height for travelling from one field to the other they also serve to prevent the grass from crowding over upon the back teeth guiding the driving-arms when the rake is revolving. l l

A plate, K, is hinged tb the cross-timber F, and a 1 'od,d, is secured to it, which extends upward through a staple in the axle of the vehicle, to the upper end of which is fixed a stirrup, g, which is within reach of the foot of the driver..

The plate K is of sufficient length to press lightly upon the back teeth of the rake, and when the front teeth come in contact with anylocked o1' badly-cut grass, by 4pressing down upon the stirrup, they are elevated, and thus allowed to pass over without rak- 1110'.

a:Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination and arrangement of the hinged plate K, rod d, and stirrup or foot-piece g, constructed to operate substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set I ny hand and seal.

ILLIAM SHARKEY. [13. Sfl

Witnesses: v

EUGENE FOLGER', JOHN L..BooNE. u) 

